Stay the Night

Huling Gabi

"I was waiting for you to call me."

"Why didn't you just call me instead?"

"I was waiting for a sign."

"You were waiting for me to call, or you were waiting for a sign? Which is it really?"

"You, calling or not was supposed to be the sign."

"How did that turn up?"

"I did what I want anyway, whatever turned up from the sign I asked for."

"What's the sign about?"

"Let's not talk about it anymore." Eli sighed and held me tighter. "How have you been, love?"

We were lying on my bed. His arms around my waist with my back turned to him. Nagising ako nang umakap sya sakin. We haven't seen each other for a week. Busy sya sa hospital though his internship is almost over. On the other hand, I've been facilitating art classes for kids sa school nila Papa while I'm waiting for the next semester of med school to start.

"Fine, I guess." I answered quite timidly. My heart's feeling heavy again. Sa tuwing magkikita kami ni Eli, ganito na ang nararamdaman ko. Mabigat. Madilim. Pakiramdam ko lagi, huling araw na namin.

"What did you do?"

"Can we- can you... Tell me how your day went instead. How did it go with your lolo and lola?" I was referring to his biological grandparents.

I heard the sarcasm on his chuckle, "It went fine." He burried his face closer to my nape. I know he's not fine. "I walked out of their house a hundred million richer."

I didn't say anything. I know Eli doesn't need me to say anything. He just needs me to listen. His thoughts were in chaos too. Pareho kami. We were silent for a while. He took a deep breath and continued.

"Binigay nila sakin yung share ni mommy Elisa sa family business. Her savings. Pati na din yung dalawang property na napundar nya. They also gave me her trust fund, and the trust fund they set up for me when they found out from Dad that I am their grand son. Ang dami nilang binigay sakin." His breathing was heavy. Parang may mas mabigat syang dinadala na hindi nya kayang sabihin.

"Is it that bad? Being a hundred million richer?" I tried to joke to lighten up the mood.

Hinigpitan nya pa lalo ang kapit sa akin. Pero sa pag higpit ng akap nya, pakiramdam ko, pareho kaming mababasag. Ang puso namin, parehong parang kandila na nauupos. Ang pagmamahalan na pinilit namin inilaban mula sa tuluyang pagkabasag dahil sa madaming bubog nya at madaming lamat ko, parang bigla na lang magiging abo. Usok. Sasama sa hangin, at kailanman ay hindi na namin makikita. Hindi na makikilala kahit maramdaman pa.

Kaya ko bang bitawan sya? Kaya ko ba kung bibitaw na sya?

"Let's spend it. Let's go away. Kahit sandali lang. O kaya kahit matagal. Kung gusto mo, alis na lang tayo habang buhay." Eli said.

Hinawakan ko ang kamay nya. Dahan-dahan ko inalis ang pagkakayakap nya sa akin. I sat up and turned to him. He looks tired. There are stubbles on his chin.

"Get up." I told him.

I got off the bed as he sat up. I held his hand  and pulled him to the bathroom. Binasa ko ng kaunti ang baba nya. I took the soap, lathered it on his chin and around his mouth. I held the razor and started shaving his stubbles.